Effects of spaceflight on protein expression of alfalfa mutant

Taking two alfalfa(Medicago sativa) mutant strains selected by satellite launch as materials, effects of spaceflight on protein expression mechanism of alfalfa mutant were studied through IEF/SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis. And a comparative analysis on protein specificity was conducted. The results showed that there are huge difference between protein maps of mutant strain and control. For mutant 1L-4, six protein spots are lower than those of control, and 16 protein spots are higher than those of control. For mutant 6L-5, 17 protein spots are lower than those of control and 18 protein spots are higher than those of control. This indicated that space environment causes the changes on genetic structure of alfalfa, and then affects its protein expression.